My Solution to Rising Costs in this Economy
The other day I saw two different news stories on our local news…both the gas company and the schools were sharing their disappointment that they were going to have to raise rates for certain services. The cost of school lunches and the cost of the gas that we use to heat our homes will both be going up in the next month. Both entities expressed their regret at having to raise rates, but in order to remain viable, and to cover the costs that are being passed along to them, it is a step they must take.
I thought, “What a great idea!” But before you think I’ve lost touch with reality, let me explain. If the gas company and the schools can just send out a news story about the necessity of raising their rates, then why can’t I simply send a letter to my boss explaining my situation just as they have done?
So with that in mind, I sat down to calculate just how much the economy has changed in the last few years and how my salary now compares to those changes. In the period beginning in 2004, I found that my costs for basic expenses jumped from being 79 percent of my income to a whopping 88 percent of my income in spite of the raise that I received 18 months ago due to a promotion. I’m sure you realize that my salary has not increased by that same 9 percent in that same time frame. I knew my employer would want this to be brought to the company’s attention since they have assured me that my faithful service and my willingness to be a team player have come to be quite valued within the company. So here’s a copy of the letter I’m forwarding to my boss.
Feel free to share a similar one with your employer as well.
Dear Employer,
I’m sure you’ve seen the news reports about the rising cost of fuel and the effect that those price increases are having on the economy. Just as I’m sure you’ve noticed how those increases have affected the bottom line here at the office. Those same economic effects have impacted my family’s bottom line as well.
I regret that I must take this action, but it seems I have no other alternative. Due to the rising cost of fuel and other related costs, such as higher utility prices, clothing costs, grocery expenses, and yes, even school lunches, I will be forced to raise my rates as of the first of next month. Please adjust my salary accordingly. We have tried our very best to keep our costs low, but the economic factors that have caused other businesses to raise their rates have finally reached the breaking point for us as well.
We regret having to take these steps since we know that your budget has also been affected by rising costs, but we have found that we have no other options but to raise our rates since this is our only source of income. My spouse and children also send their regards and best wishes as you try, as we have been, to figure out how to pay these higher rates with our current income.
Sincerely,
Your Loyal Employee
© [Janet Sikes Anderson] and [Kitchen Sink Thoughts], [2009]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Janet Sikes Anderson] and [Kitchen Sink Thoughts] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
